Seahorses

keysreef

New Member
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
I heard that you can't have them in tanks with other fish.. I was really hoping to get a new tank with a couple fish and a couple sea horses in it. But i don't want the seahorse to get picked on. Are there any good fish that would get along with them??
 
Anything peaceful, slow and deliberate. They need very docile tankmates, because they're slow feeders.
 
McPhock;628887 wrote: Anything peaceful, slow and deliberate. They need very docile tankmates, because they're slow feeders.

I agree.

Mandarins would make a good tankmate with seahorses as well as a lawnmower blennie.
 
See this chart:

http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/livestockcaretopicsindex/ss/fishcompatibilitychart.htm">http://saltaquarium.about.com/od/livestockcaretopicsindex/ss/fishcompatibilitychart.htm</a>

Specific species within the family might or might not be appropriate though. Like a midas blenny would not be (piggy would eat all the food), but a lawnmower blenny would.

An aptaisia-eating (green) filefish would probably be fine. They are slow, shy deliberate feeders also.
 
Respectfully disagree on the Mandarin, Bob. Mandarins need a larger, established tank, and seahorses do better in a smaller (but taller) tank. They'd be compatible, attitude-wise, but not insofar as their needs.

Lawnmowers can be a bit aggressive but a more placid individual might work.

Firefish gobies,and cardinalfishes are suitable, in my experience.

Also, no stinging corals or anemones with seahorses - the horses will get stung and/or eaten.

Jenn
 
i think the clowns would be ok if you have larger seahorse and have had them in their for a month or two first to get them used to you and used to you feeding them if you got like the 5" black kuda or something like that
 
I wouldn't put clowns with seahorses. Clowns are too territorial and aggressive.

Jenn
 
Lifestudent;628893 wrote: I agree.

Mandarins would make a good tankmate with seahorses as well as a lawnmower blennie.

I heard you can't have a Mandarin in a small set up??

Edit:
JennM;628897 wrote: Respectfully disagree on the Mandarin, Bob. Mandarins need a larger, established tank, and seahorses do better in a smaller (but taller) tank. They'd be compatible, attitude-wise, but not insofar as their needs.

Lawnmowers can be a bit aggressive but a more placid individual might work.

Firefish gobies,and cardinalfishes are suitable, in my experience.

Also, no stinging corals or anemones with seahorses - the horses will get stung and/or eaten.

Jenn

I just saw that you answered my question about the Mandarin's:)
 
Mandarins and other dragonets typically only eat live copepods and amphipods. In a small setup, they will devour the pod population faster than they can reproduce, and slowly starve to death. In a larger, mature tank, the pod population will be sustained enough to keep the dragonet fed.

Jenn
 
JennM;628914 wrote: Mandarins and other dragonets typically only eat live copepods and amphipods. In a small setup, they will devour the pod population faster than they can reproduce, and slowly starve to death. In a larger, mature tank, the pod population will be sustained enough to keep the dragonet fed.

Jenn

Good to know, Thanks!:thumbs:
Even though it would be awesome to have one in a small set up,they are beautiful fish!!:)
 
They are one of my faves. The only down-side is their feeding requirements. Once in a great while, one will take prepared foods, but they tend to be the exception, not the rule.

Jenn
 
JennM;628923 wrote: They are one of my faves. The only down-side is their feeding requirements. Once in a great while, one will take prepared foods, but they tend to be the exception, not the rule.

Jenn

Isn't ORA suppose to be coming out with tank raised manderins?
 
Yes, they have. I haven't brought any in but some are reporting that they are harder to keep than the wild harvested ones, and they don't necessarily take to prepared foods. I only know what bit I've read about them, but the opinions are mixed.

I don't bring in dragonets at all unless somebody requests one (and they have a suitable setup to support one). I have a few here that were brought in by hobbyists (purchased elsewhere) because they were starving... :(

Jenn
 
JennM;628932 wrote: Yes, they have. I haven't brought any in but some are reporting that they are harder to keep than the wild harvested ones, and they don't necessarily take to prepared foods. I only know what bit I've read about them, but the opinions are mixed.

I don't bring in dragonets at all unless somebody requests one (and they have a suitable setup to support one). I have a few here that were brought in by hobbyists (purchased elsewhere) because they were starving... :(

Jenn

That's sad. They are such a incredible fish to let starve to death.
 
I agree. Unfortunately, it happens. That's why I don't stock them routinely - they are often an impulse buy. I'll make sure they go to appropriate homes and meanwhile they are fattening up in our coral system.

We're kind of veering off topic though...

Seahorses are another creature that requires a system set up for their needs. They are easier to care for nowadays than back when I started. Back in the day they had to have live foods. Tank raised varieties nowadays are trained to accept prepared foods, and stuff like Mysis shrimp is good for them, and they take to it readily. Tank raised seahorses are less likely (but not less prone) to have bacterial infections and other ills that are commonly found in the wild caught varieties. Someone who undertakes a seahorse tank needs to be aware of some of the health conditions that can and do occur, and what to do to treat them.

Jenn
 
JennM;628942 wrote: I agree. Unfortunately, it happens. That's why I don't stock them routinely - they are often an impulse buy. I'll make sure they go to appropriate homes and meanwhile they are fattening up in our coral system.

We're kind of veering off topic though...

Seahorses are another creature that requires a system set up for their needs. They are easier to care for nowadays than back when I started. Back in the day they had to have live foods. Tank raised varieties nowadays are trained to accept prepared foods, and stuff like Mysis shrimp is good for them, and they take to it readily. Tank raised seahorses are less likely (but not less prone) to have bacterial infections and other ills that are commonly found in the wild caught varieties. Someone who undertakes a seahorse tank needs to be aware of some of the health conditions that can and do occur, and what to do to treat them.

Jenn

It's totally fine!:) New TOD is Mandarin's!!:yay: lol
 
Well if I ever decide to actually start a seahorse tank, I'm calling ya Jenn. I'll pick your brain for as much info as I can lol
 
I agree that Jenn knows way more than I do about seahorses.

Sorry, but I did not see any reference regarding tank size. I was assuming 60G or better or some other tall type tank.
 
I own seahorses. I agree on the fire fish. I have also kept mine with a coris wrasse and fire shrimp. I moved them all out due to the adults being sexually mature, and I didnt want babies being eaten:( If you want to raise babies I would say no tankmates (common sense) But, if you get all of one sex or you dont want to bother with it. Then get some peaceful fish/inverts.
I also keep a monster seahare in with them because I get a ton of algea. Due to excess nutrients.
 
Back
Top